Door operated atomizing device



Dec. 19, 1950 T. o. MARIN! 2,534,465

DOOR OPERATED ATOMIZING DEVICE Filed Oct. 17, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l l NVENTOR ATTORNEY;

Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR OPERATED ATOMIZIN G DEVICE Thomas .0. Marini, Audubon, N. J.

Application October 17, 1949, Serial No..121,701

10 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to deodorizing or atomizing devices. More particularly, it relates to that type of atomizing or deodorizlng device that is actuated in consequence of the opening and closing movements of a door. In prior application Serial No. 46,986, filed August 31, 1948, is disclosed a door operated atomizing device and the present invention is an improve ment thereover.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a door operated atomizing device that may be mounted on either the frame or the door and operated in consequence of the opening and closing movements of the door.

.An additional object is to provide a simple, inexpensive and compact supporting structure for a container having a room treating substance therein and which container is of the type commonly referred to as an aerosol bomb and constructed similar to the disclosures of prior patents to Rotheim 1,892,750 and Mobley 1,614,532.

An additional object is to provide an atomizzing device in which valve control means and the operating means therefore are of simple and compact construction.

A further object is to provide an arrangement wherein the control valve is maintained normally closed due to a particular disposition of parts so selected and arranged that the spring pressure acting on the valve in the container and/or the pressure of the contents thereof assures the device remaining inoperative except and unless the valve is positively actuated.

A further object is to provide an arrangement that may be alternatively mounted on either the door or the frame, one that is cam controlled and which may be mounted in either a vertical or horizontal position with the cam means either incorporated therewith or constructed as a separate element.

Additional and more specific objects will be apparent from the following specification when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the de vice mounted on a door at the upper edge there of adjacent the frame,

Figure 215 a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 with the container for the room treating substance in elevation,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional partial view of the arrangement'of Figure 1 showing the posi tion of the parts when the valve is depressed to dispense the contents from the container when the: door is opening or closing,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of Figure 2 with the lower part of the figure illustrating in section details of a form of the valve mechanism embodied in the container,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 but disclosing in section a modified form of the valve actuating means,

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 with the device illustrated in operation with the door in spaced relation to the frame in either an opening or closing position,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a view taken along line lillil of Figure 6 illustrating the position of the actuating arm of the operating extension of the valve actuating means as normally disposed on the top edge of the door, and

Figure 11 is a sectional view on a reduced scale of an alternative arrangement.

In the modifications of Figures 1 to 5, the device generally indicated at l is mounted on the door 2 adjacent the upper edge thereof and disposed so that the valve actuating means hereinafter described will be actuated when the door is opened or closed. In Figure l the device is disposed vertically, although it is to be understood that the same can be disposed horizontally.

As is clear from Figure 2, the device I includes the casing 3 generally of rectangular form and. closed by a closure member 4 similar to that set forth in the previously filed application referred to above. Within the casing 3 and resting on the bottom end portion thereof is disposed a container 5 having a pressurized supply of a liquid or gaseous room treating substance therein, This container is of a well known type commonly referred to as an aerosol bomb and incorporates a charge of pressurized fluid as, for example, Freon gas, either alone or mixed with the substance to be ejected therefrom which can he a deodorizer, disinfectant, fumigant, perfume or the like. The container 5 is generally cylindrical in shape and the casing 3 is provided with a retaining and aligning means for the casing includin an arcuately disposed element 5 against which the container rests and a clip member I that is secured to the element 6 and passes about and res liently maintains the container 5 in position. The container 5 includes a discharge nozzle generally indicated at 8 having a discharge orifice 9 in the side thereof which is disposed in alignment with the opening It in the wall of the lid or closure 3 of the container. The casing 3 is mounted on the door 2 by any suitable means and as indicated the rear wall of the casing is secured by screws to the door and a cam holding member Ii is mounted on the door frame I2 in vertical alignment with the central portion of the casing 3. The cam holder embodies a double faced cam i3 and within the casing and projecting therethrough is disposed the valve actuating means. As is clear from Figure 4, the easing 3 has an aperture I4 in the central upper end portion thereof and on the under surface of the said end portion is disposed a U-shaped bracket I5, the legs l6 of which extend in vertical alignment with the edge of the opening I4. The upper ends of the bracket are bent over to form ears I! that are fixed to the under surface of the container top by welding or other suitable means. The respective legs I 8 of the bracket have elongated slots Iii extending throughout a substantial portion of the length thereof. The outer ends of these legs I6 are bent outwardly to provide guides Ida, for a second U-shaped member 69, the legs of which are spaced apart a distance so as to be disposed about the legs I 6 of the first mentioned bracket and of a width to fit between the guides Ita of each leg. The member I9 is connected with the first mentioned bracket l for vertical sliding movement by means or" a pin 23 passing through the slots l8 and through aligned apertures 2| in the second bracket l9. Carried by the pin 28 is a cam engaging wheel 22. It is therefore clear that as the door swings, the cam wheel, which is normally maintained in the uppermost position due to the vertical sliding action of the member 19 on the member I5, engages the cam surface I3 and is depressed thereby to actuate the depressible valve, hereinafter described, to control discharge of the contents of the container. This engagement of the cam wheel with the cam is efiected as a consequence of the opening and closing movements of the door.

As shown in Figure 4 the depressible actuating valve is of the type embodied in the Rotheim Patent 1,892,750. The nozzle 8 has a central bore 23 therein within which is slidably disposed the valve stem 24. The lower end of the bore 23 is flared to provide a conical seat 25 engaged by a washer 23 carried by the valve head 2'! that is integral with or permanently attached to the stem A coil spring 28 is disposed about an extension 29 of the valve. The lower end of the spring bears against a flange 3B of a cap member fitted on the bottom end of the nozzle 8. It is clear that the spring and/or the pres- Sure of the contents within the container maintain the valve normally in its uppermost position so that the washer 23 seats against the valve seat to prevent egress of the contents of the container through the bore 23. A cap member 3! is threadedly engaged with the upper end of the nozzle 3 and which cap member is provided with a counter-bore or recess 32. A headed member 33 is passed through the opening in the upper end of the cap 3! and the bottom of the stem of this member is swaged so as to prevent withdrawal therefrom through the opening in the cap 3!, the swaged portions bein accommodated in the counter-bore 32 when the valve is raised to closed position. Disposed between the under surface of the cap 3| and the upper surface of the nozzle 8 is a washer.

It is clear, therefore, that depressing the member 33 transmits pressure through the washer to the upper end of the stem 24 to unseat the valve to permit the contents to flow through the bore 23 and out the discharge orifice 9. The member 33 is depressed by the engagement of the U-shaped member i9 which is displaced downwardly by reason of the engagement of the wheel 22 with the cam surface I3 whenever the door is opened or closed. It is believed that the operation of the invention is obvious from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the drawings. The present arrangement, therefore, provides a simple compact structure which can be mounted on the door as shown so that when the container is held by the clips I the pressure of the fluid and the preserve exerted by the spring maintain the member 33 in its uppermost position therefore sliding the U-member i3 and the wheel carried thereby upwardly so that the upper part of the wheel protrudes through the opening It in the casing. When the door is opened or closed the wheel engages the cam surface is and is momentarily depressed thereby to depress the member 33 therefore actuating the valve to effect momentary discharge of the contents from the container 5. By reason of the double cam surfaces a second discharge is effected when the door is closed.

If desired the bottom end of the stem 29 is pointed so as to puncture a membrane dis osed therebeneath that maintains the material within the container prior to the first depression of the valve actuating member.

It is obvious that the casing 3 with the container therein could be disposed horizontally on the door and the cam carrier I I mounted on the side of the frame in alignment with the wheel protruding from the top or end portion of the casing. ihe spring pressure on the valve and/or the pressure of the contents is suificient to maintain the valve seated regardless Of whether the container is disposed vertically, horizontally or upside down. In this event it would not be necessary to provide a cam carrier since the edge of the door could abut the wheel that is held stationary with respect thereto by the fact that the casing is mounted on the frame and the opening and closing movements of the door would therefore momentarily depress the valve mechanism each time the door was opened and closed.

In the modifications shown in Figures 6 to 10 the cam carrying element is mounted within the casing for sliding movement relative thereto to depress a slidably mounted roller to eifect actuation of the valve mechanism previously described. As shown in Figure 6 the casing 3 is mounted on the door 2 and is of slightly different form so that it has an extension 34 projecting above the bottom edge of the frame I2 when the door is closed. An elongated U-shaped bracket 35 is secured to the under surface of the top wall or upper end portion of the extension 34. The respective legs of this bracket have elongated slots 36 therein and it is to be noted that the bracket extends substantially throughout the depth of the extension 34 of the casing. The bracket has narrow depending portions 37 provided with aligned vertically extended slots 38 and out-turned ears 39, as shown in Figure 9, between which is slidably disposed the legs 40 of a second U-shaped member 4!, Figure 8. The base of this U-shaped member 4| is disposed above the valve depressing member 33 and normally is in engagement therewith by reason of 5 thennward pressure exerted on the said member 33.. .A b n 42- passinsthrough aligned apertures 43 in the member and slidably mounted in the .slots 38 in the member 31 carries the cam engaging roller 44. In the upper part of the bracket '35 is disposed the cam carrying element 45 which hast. double faced cam 46 on the under surface thereof and which is either formed integral with or permanently secured to a slidable carriage element 4! and is. supported by means of spaced pins 48 passing through aligned apertures in the side walls of the member 41 and through the elongated slots 36 of the member 35. A coil spring 49 is secured between a downturned flange 50 at one end of the bracket 35 and the end wall 5! of the carriage 41. The spring normally draws the carriage 41 to the left, as viewed in Figure 6. The cam carrying member 45 has an extension 52 with a downturned end 53 adapted to fit over the edge of the door I. As shown in Figure 10, a bracket 54 is mounted on the top of the door and which bracket has raised portions through which is slidably disposed the extension 52. 'It is to be noted that the cam surfaces 46 are so disposed that, as viewed in Figure 6, when the 'door is closed the extension 53 abuts the inner end of the door frame and thereby slides the carriage 41 outwardly with respect to the rear wall of the casing so that the cam is disposed to the right, as in Figure 6, so that its lower portion is out of contact with the surface of the wheel 44. When the door is opened the spring draws the carriage 41 toward the rear of the casing 3 thereby, moving the cam so that its lower 'face exerts downward pressure on the upper surface of the roller 44, as shown in Figure '7, to effect downward displacement of the member 4| to depress the valve to effect discharge of the contents of the container. The extent of theslots 36 is such that on continued movement of the door the spring draws the carriage 41 to the left of the position shown in Figure '7 so that the righthand cam face is disposed adjacent the left perimetric surface of the wheel so as to be in aposi'tion to displace the wheel when the door is closed by reason of the sliding movement imparted to the carriage when the member 53 abuts the rear surface of the door frame. It is therefore clear that this modification embodies in one housing the actuating means for the'valve.

In connection with both modifications, it is to be understood. that the depressible head 33 is always in engagement with the under surface of the member is in the modifications of Figures 1 to 5, and the member ii in the modifications of Figures 6 to 10. Displacement of these last mentioned members in a direction toward the head 33 effects discharge of the contents from the container. This is true whether the casing with the container therein is mounted vertically or horizontally. The modifications in Figures 6 to it could likewise be disposed horizontally with. respect to the door.

In connection with the present invention itis clear that the supporting means comprehending at least the hack, bottom and top or the casing be mounted either on the door as shown in Figure 1 or on the door frame as show in Figure 11. Therefore the supporting means are mountalrlle on a door structure since a door structure necessarily includes a door and its frame.

As shown in Figure 1.1. and also appearing in Figure 2, the arcuately disposed bracket element 6 is provided with an extension which fits over pattofthe top. of the container 5 50 that when tainer controlling said the device is supported in vertical position this extension to will support the weight of the con; tainer. With this arrangement, that isythe device inverted and mounted on the door frame 32, if desired, the cam holding member II can be eliminated and the top of the door will func tion on contacting the roller 22 to displace the valve to effect discharge of the contents of the container.

. The: extension 8a of the arcuate shaped bracket 5 when utilized is formed integral therewith, the bracket 6 being formed from sheet metal and the extension comprising two spaced ears that adapted to be bent in such a manner that they will fit over a portion of the top surfaceof the container when the latter is held in place by the clip 5 and the size and shape :of the extension can, of course, be varied depending on the-size and shape of the various containers thatmay be utilized.

As another application of my invention the casing with the container therein can be mounted on the inside of a closet door and the cam carryin'g arm H can be disposed to be mounted on the under surface of a shelf in the closet for cooperation with the roller 22 so that every time the closet door is opened or closed a discharge from the container 5 is effected.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A decdorizing device including supporting means adapted to be mounted on a door structure and comprising at least a rear wall and spaced laterally extending end portions, a corn tainer mounted between the end portions and contacting one of the same and having a pressurizedsupply of a fluid room treating substance therein, said container including an atomizing discharge nozzle having an orifice through which discharge is eii'ected, a valve within the conorifice, means embodied with the container for normally holding said valve in closed position, depressible means supported by the nozzle for opening said valve", valve actuating means carried by the other end portion and movable relative to the nozzle and contacta ble with said depressible means, said actuating means including an element movable in consequence of the opening and closing movements of the door member to exert pressure on said depressible means to-open the valve to permit an atomized discharge from the nozzle each time the'door is opened or closed, and the means for normally closing said valve and the depressible means automatically moving the actuating means to inoperative position after the door has been opened or closed.

2. A room treating device including supporting means mounted on a door, including a rear wall and spaced laterally extending end portions, a removable container between the end portions having a pressurized supply of a fluid room treating substance -therein,. an atomizing discharge nozzle for the container having a discharge orifice disposed to discharge into the room, said nozzle being adjacent one end portion, said icon tainer including a depressible valve, and means embodied with the container for normally hold: ing said valve in closed position, depressing means carried by the nozzle for opening said valve, valve actuating means embodied with the said one end portion including an element normally con tacting said depressing means and movable rela ti've to the container, guiding means: for said element, and a second element movable in con sequence of the opening and closing movements of the door to effect reciprocation of said first element to depress the depressing means to open the valve and permit an atomized discharge from the nozzle through the opening in the casing each time the door is opened or closed.

3. A room treating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure within the container constitutes the means for normally holding the valve in closed position and wherein the said second elementis a roller projecting through an opening in the said one end portion, and wherein a double faced cam is mounted on the door frame in alignment' with the path of movement of the casing and engageable with the roller to displace the same each time the door is opened or closed to thereby actuate the valve to permit a discharge of the substance into the room.

4. A room treating device including supporting means mountable on a door including a rear wall and spaced laterally extending end portions, a removable container between the end portions having a pressurized supply of fluid room treating substance therein, an atomizing discharging nozzle for the container having a discharge'orifice disposed to discharge into the room, said nozzle being adjacent one end portion of the supporting means, said container including a depressible valve and means embodied with the container for normally holding said valve in closed position, depressing means carried by the nozzle for opening said valve, valve actuating means embodied with the said one end portion including an element normally contacting said depressing means and movable relative to the container, guiding means for the said element, a roller carriedby said element and movable therewith, and wherein a double faced cam is recipro-cably supported by and relative to the said one end portion for movement transversely of the line of movement of said roller, and wherein means connected with said cam project beyond the door, said means being disposed in position to be engageable with a portion of the door frame when the door is closed so as to move the cam relative to the roller to depress the same and thereby the element supported therewith to actuate the valve to permit a discharge of the substance into the room when the door is closed, and resilient means connected with said cam to normally urge the same and thereby the means projecting beyond the door to inoperative position so that as the door is opened the said resilient means effect a sliding movement of the cam to depress the roller and the said first element to actuate the valve to permit a. discharge of the substance when the door is opened.

5. A room treating device comprising supporting means including at least a rear wall and spaced laterally extending end portions, a container having a supply of pressurized fluid room treating substance therein and mountable be tween the end portions, said container including a discharge nozzle adjacent one end portion and having an orifice through which discharge is effected, a depressible valve in said nozzle, means embodied with the container and normally holding said valve in closed position, means projecting beyond the nozzle for moving the valve to open position upon application of pressure, and valve actuating means embodied with said one end portion comprising a bracket including spaced depending legs disposed in alignment with the nozzle, said legs having aligned elongated slots therein, a U-shaped element disposed about said legs, the base of said U-shaped element abutting the Said depressing means, means connecting said U-shaped element to the said legs of the bracket including a pin passing through aligned apertures in the U-shaped element and the slots in said legs and a roller carried by said pin and movable therewith, and a double faced cam engageable with said roller in consequence of the opening and closing movements of the door to move the roller and thereby the U- shaped element to depress the valve and permit an atomized discharge through the orifice in the nozzle each time the door is opened or closed,

6. A room treating device as claimed in claim '5, wherein the said double faced cam is mounted on the door frame and wherein the said roller projects through an opening in the said one end portion and is engageable with the cam each time the door is opened or closed.

'7. A room treating device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said double faced cam is reciprocably supported with respect to the said one end portion for movement transverse with respect to the line of movement of said roller and wherein resilient means are connected with the cam to normally urge the same to inoperative position, and wherein means connected with the cam project beyond the casing and the edge of the door and are disposed in alignment with a portion of the door frame and movable in consequence of the closing movement of the door to move the cam in one direction to effect a discharge when the door is closed, the said resilient means moving the cam in the other direction to eiTect a discharge when the door is opened and maintaining the cam in inoperative position as long as the door is opened.

. 8. A room treating device comprising supporting means adapted to be mounted on a door structure and including at least a rear wall and spaced laterally extending end portions, a container having a pressurized supply of a fluid room treating substance therein removably disposed between the end portions, the said container including an atomizing discharge nozzle having a discharge orifice disposed adjacent one end portion of the supporting means, valve means within the nozzle including an element projecting beyond the nozzle and movable relative thereto to open the valve, means embodied with the container normally urging the valve to closed position, actuating means for moving said element comprising overlapping bracket members each including spaced parallel legs, one of said members being connected to the said one end portion and the other of said members being slidably connected to the first of said members and including a portion normally contacting said element, guide means carried by the first of said members to control the movement of said last mentioned member, a roller supported by said last mentioned member, and a double faced cam engageable with said roller in consequence of the opening and closing movements of the door to displace saidroller and thereby said second member to move the element to open the valve to permit an atomized discharge each time the door is opened or closed.

9. A room treating device comprising supporting means adapted to be mounted on a door structure and including at least a rear wall portion and spaced laterally extending end portions adapted to receive therebetween a container having a pressurized supply of a fluid room treating substance therein, said container embodying a 9 normally closed valve controlled discharge orifice adjacent one of said end portions, a valve actuator embodied with said one end portion and movable relative to and toward said container to actuate said valve and means adapted to be 5 mounted on the door structure and engageable with said valve actuator in consequence of opening and closing movements of the door to actuate the valve and permit. a pressurized discharge from said container. 1 10. A room treating device including supporting means adapted to be mounted on a door structure, said supporting means embodying at least a rear wall and spaced laterally extending end portions, a container including a bottom and a top and 1 having a pressurized supply of a fluid room treating substance therein, an atomizing discharge nozzle at the top thereof having a discharge orifice through which the room treating substance is discharged into the room, a normally closed 20 depressible valve controlling said orifice, movable depressing means embodied with the container and adapted upon movement to open the said valve, said container being removably supported by said supporting means with the bottom thereof in contact with one end portion of the said supporting means and the top thereof adjacent the opposite end portion, valve acuating means embodied with the said opposite end portion, including a valve depressor movable with relation to the container and normally controlling said depressing means, said depressor including a portion projecting beyond the plane including the major portion of said opposite end of the supporting means and said projecting portion being operable in consequence of opening and closing movement of the door to effect movement of the depressor toward the depressing means to open the valve to permit an atomized discharge from the nozzle each time the door is opened or closed and said projecting portion embodying an arcuate surface cooperable with the said depressing means in each opening and closing movement of the door.

THOMAS O. MARINI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,476,930 Stuerzer Dec. 11, 1923 2,434,238 Wolfson Jan. 6, 1948 

